unclear mandate
[/ʌnˈklɪr ˈmændət/]
noun phrasepl: unclear mandates
mandato pouco claro / mandato indefinido
1. An ambiguous or vague authorization or instruction given to a person, organization, or government that lacks clear objectives, scope, or limitations
The committee struggled with an unclear mandate that did not specify their responsibilities or decision-making authority.
O comitê enfrentou dificuldades com um mandato pouco claro que não especificava suas responsabilidades ou autoridade para tomar decisões.
2. A lack of clear public support or legitimacy for a particular course of action or policy following an election
The president claimed an unclear mandate after winning the election by a narrow margin.
O presidente alegou ter um mandato indefinido após vencer a eleição por uma margem estreita.
This phrase is commonly used in political discourse in both the United States and Brazil when discussing election results, particularly when a candidate wins with a slim majority. In Brazilian politics, it often appears in discussions about whether a government has sufficient public support to implement its agenda. In corporate and institutional contexts, both countries use this term to describe organizational dysfunction and the need for clearer communication from leadership.
NYC Slang
fuzzy mandate / wishy-washy orders
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